Integration monitor is a daily Latvian press digest on ethnic minority and society integration issues. The Monitor reviews the biggest Latvian dailies: Diena, Latvijas Avize, Neatkariga (in Latvian language), Vesti Segodnya (in Russian language). In specific cases other information sources are used. Latvian Centre for Human Rights is not responsible for information published by the media.

Integration and Minority Information Service
of the Latvian Centre for Human Rights and Ethnic Studies

• Report of the European Parliament Deputy Elisabeth Schroedter about the observation of minority rights in Latvia
• Eizenija Aldermane on citizenship for schoolteachers
• Orthodox believers of Latvia celebrate Christmas
• Interview with the Head of the Department of Integration of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule
• Increasing number of naturalization applications

European Parliament Deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schroedter points to the indisposition of Latvian government to solve the problem of Russian speakers’ integration effectively in the report based on her visit to Latvia last month. Elizabeth Schroedter mentions the slow pace of naturalization and calls to consider the linguistic rights of Russian speaking minority during the process of inauguration of the education reform.

European Parliament Deputy from Germany Elisabeth Schroedter points to the indisposition of Latvian government to solve the problem of Russian speakers integration effectively in the report based on her visit to Latvia last month. Elizabeth Schroedter mentions the slow pace of naturalization and calls to consider the linguistic rights of Russian speaking minority during the process of inauguration of the education reform. Vesti Segodnya

The Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane comments on For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM proposal to ban the schoolteacher's profession for non-citizens in her interview to

The Head of the Naturalization Board Eizenija Aldermane comments on For Fatherland and Freedom/LNIM proposal to ban the schoolteacher's profession for non-citizens in her interview to Latvijas Avize. According to Aldermane, although the FFF/LNIM statement is a purely political statement, it is right in its essence. At the same time, Aldermane does not consider the one-year introduction period, suggested by FFF/LNIM, as a plausible solution, because within a year the goal can only be reached using repressive methods, in which she does not believe. She also says that if the number of professions banned for the non-citizens was increased, it would immediately become a human rights issue and might cause a lot of trouble. Aldermane is also against granting the voting rights to non-citizens during the municipal elections, because, according to her, if they want to vote, they should first naturalize, and then participate not only in the municipal elections, butin the Parliament elections as well.

Today Orthodox believers of Latvia celebrate Christmas. According to the Synod of the Orthodox Church, there are about 35 thousand Orthodox believers in Latvia.

Today Orthodox believers of Latvia celebrate Christmas. According to the Synod of the Orthodox Church, there are about 35 thousand Orthodox believers in Latvia. Diena, Chas, Telegraf, Vesti Segodnya, Vechernaya Riga

Chas features an interview with the Head of the Department of Integration of the Ministry of Education and Science Evija Papule about the oncoming education reform 2004. The official believes that 60 – 70% of minority schools teachers are ready to teach their subjects in Latvian.

In the period from October to December last year, the number of applications received by the Naturalization Board is approximately 60% higher than during the same period in the year 2002.

In the period from October to December last year, the number of applications received by the Naturalization Board is approximately 60% higher than during the same period in the year 2002. Vesti Segodnya